Title: It Started with a Secret
Author: Jill Mansell
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Release Date: June 2, 2020
Pages: 336
Book Source: NetGalley
“Lainey and Kit arrive at their new jobs in blissful, summery Cornwall only to find themselves in the midst of a lovable but chaotic family—where every member is having an identity crisis at the same time. Widowed mom Majella has done her best for years, but can’t quite grasp why things are falling apart. It’s what she doesn’t know that’s causing the chaos, because everyone is keeping secrets.
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In classic Jill Mansell style, our heroine and her friends are drawn through a hilarious multi-generational soap opera in which, by the end, happily-ever-afters are available to anyone willing to tell the truth about their heart’s desire.” – Amazon
Kim’s Review
What a wonderful romance (actually numerous romances) that incorporates family life and drama realistically. It Started with a Secret by Jill Mansell is perfect to put in your bag and take with you to the beach this summer… or to read in your backyard with a drink of choice!
Besides a bunch of romances (will they/won’t they, old love, and lost love) there is a gregarious and grumpy Hollywood actor learning to love others besides himself, a person realizing they are gay and the support system they find, a widow wanting to find someone to share their life with, a driven woman wanting to find a partner and realizing she’s strong enough to have a family on her own, teenagers dealing with secrets, a son dealing with his mother and his past, and a family that finds bonds with those that don’t share their blood. I think I covered all the storylines, but I may have missed a couple.
This was such a fantastic book that tied all the storylines together in an organic way. Almost all of the characters are likeable (except for the ones that aren’t supposed to be) and I know I would enjoy getting to know them if they were real people. This is the first book that I’ve read by Jill Mansell, but when I’m looking for a sweet romance with characters that make me believe in the good of people, I will be reading more of her books.
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